Motherhood Is Routine After All

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Motherhood Is Routine - City Moms Blog Network

As a teacher, my days were scheduled almost down to the minute. Lesson plans written with objectives, procedures and assessments. Routines were practiced until they were practically second nature. In that world, it worked. It worked for me in my personal life, too. I was the color-coded planner, to-do list, turn things in at the first moment possible kind of girl.

I always imagined that my days of motherhood would look much the same way. Morning routines that worked like clockwork, designated times to read and work on the alphabet, a cleaning schedule. Nap times would be sacred time and the excuse would have to be really good to skip. A chore chart would be posted on the refrigerator and we would carefully check off each chore as it was done daily.

Then Motherhood ACTUALLY Happened

I quickly learned that the routine that had become so familiar and comfortable for me was no longer there. I would get a morning routine in place, and then the baby’s nap schedule would change. Unexpected playdates would come up and naptime was missed. And I think we are on chore chart number five…that is, when I remember to print it out.

The lack of “routine” became overwhelming to me. I started to feel like I didn’t have control of my days and that they were slipping away, one by one. I worried that because of this lack of the routine I expected, at least in my mind, I wasn’t teaching my children how to be disciplined, responsible and successful.

But more importantly, they hear I love you in the morning and they hear it before they fall asleep. In between there are hugs, stories read, tears wiped and scrapes kissed. Those are the routines they will remember and that matter most.

What Matters Most

Then one day, most likely as I was crafting yet another chore system that I was sure would work, I took a step back. I looked at my day and saw that maybe there was routine after all.

Every morning, I wake up and make my children breakfast. I drop my daughter off at school and never forget to say “I love you” when she gets out of the car. At home, I read books to my babies, snuggle and sing to them at naptime. After school, my two oldest know they have to unload the dishwasher and don’t even complain anymore. At bedtime, we read stories together. I lay on the floor next to my son’s bed, hold his hand, and sing him songs. I lay on my daughter’s bed and we talk about the day. I rock my baby for a few minutes before putting her to sleep.

Though these seem like small things, they happen daily, almost without fail. And the truth is, my kids are growing up to be disciplined and responsible. They know how to clean up their toys, put their clothes in the laundry and put on their shoes.

But more importantly, they hear I love you in the morning and they hear it before they fall asleep. In between there are hugs, stories read, tears wiped and scrapes kissed. Those are the routines they will remember and that matter most.

So though it looks different than the days of the past, it seems that motherhood is routine after all.

Contributing Sister Site and Author

CCMB-11
About {Amanda}

Amanda moved to the Dallas area as a child, moved away for college, but then returned “home” with her husband and new daughter. Now five years later, she and her family are putting down roots in Collin County. Her educational background is an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and a graduate degree in Early Childhood Studies. Most days you can find her doing her best to put her knowledge to work with 3 of the sweetest students around- born in 2010, 2014 and 2015. Once bedtime hits, you can find her doing some instructional design work, blogging, or finding the next great series on Netflix, usually with a cookie in hand. You can read more about her collection of thoughts on everything from motherhood and parenting to DIY and fitness, and whatever else is on her mind at her new blog This Collective Life.

Amanda is a contributor for Collin County Moms Blog, one of our Sister Sites.

**Headshot Photography courtesy of Aissa Tendorf Photography, McKinney, Texas.